Florida Virtual School Full Time Middle School Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Instructor - 10 Month

Our team members enjoy competitive salaries, a well-rounded benefits package, generous paid time off (including 25 holidays, vacation, and sick leave), and an array of professional development opportunities.  We’re always looking to add to our team of more than 3,000 dedicated professionals who are leading online education worldwide with transformative digital solutions – personalized to every student.  

The Instructor - Exceptional Student Education (ESE) FT manages instructional programs for students with disabilities as part of the IDEA grant. The Instructor - ESE FT provides an educational atmosphere where students have the opportunity to fulfill their potential for intellectual, emotional, physical, and psychological growth. The Instructor - ESE FT organizes and implements an instructional program that results in students achieving academic success in accordance with FLVS and state policies and laws. The Instructor - ESE FT works closely with other teachers and school/district professionals to oversee all steps in the IEP process to ensure that the school’s special education program is successful and operating in compliance with federal and state regulations.

Essential Position Functions:

• Plan, prepare, and provide direct services and instruction for students with disabilities in a virtual setting that contributes to a climate where students are actively engaged in meaningful learning experiences

• Identify, select, create, and adapt instructional resources to meet the needs of students with varying backgrounds, learning styles, and special needs

• Assist in assessing changing curricular needs and offer plans for improvement

• Consult with teachers and other internal/external professionals in coordination and implementation of specially designed instruction and related services within established timelines

• Develop Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs) for a caseload of students and schedule, organize, and conduct all IEP team meetings, annual reviews, 3-year evaluations, amendments, eligibilities, etc.

• Manage a caseload of students in order to ensure organization and proper implementation of all paperwork, documentation, and procedures for the IEP process

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date data in the school’s Learning Management System to ensure compliance of ESE paperwork

• Collaborate with teachers to provide suggested strategies and accommodations to best meet individual needs of students and assist students in meeting goals as defined in the IEP

• Communicate regularly with necessary stakeholders to report on IEP goal progress to ensure that IEP goals are being met and addressed in a timely manner

• Maintain effective and efficient record keeping procedures for the classroom

• Participate in the school’s Student Support Team by helping develop and implement program accommodations and strategies for students and assist in determining eligibility as needed

• Collaborate with service providers for students needing related services as mandated by their IEPs and monitor student participation and progress

• Assist with coordinating accommodations and administering state testing as required based on students’ IEPs

• Collaborate with peers to enhance the instructional environment for students by participating in activities that include, but are not limited to, team teaching, meetings, staff development, communities of practice, and various committees

• Model professional and ethical standards when dealing with students, parents, peers, and community members

• Ensure that student growth and achievement are continuous and appropriate for age group, subject area, and/or program classification

• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, parents, schools, and colleagues measured by FLVS district/school survey results

• Meet specific course and school-wide student performance goals

• Meet professional obligations through efficient work habits such as, meeting deadlines, honoring schedules, coordinating resources and meetings in an effective and timely manner, and demonstrating respect for others

• All work responsibilities are subject to having performance goals and/or targets established

 (These essential functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other job related duties as required.)

Minimum Requirements:

Education/Licensure/Certification:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education, or in a related field of Education

• Valid Florida Professional Teaching Certificate in Exceptional Student Education K-12 and/or a Florida Professional Teaching Certificate in Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing (DHH), Visual Impairments (VI), Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD), Varying Exceptionalities (VE)

Experience:

• Three years’ successful teaching experience  in Special Education

• One year online teaching, preferred

• Experience in Special Education policies and procedures at the state and federal level (IDEA)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's):

• Operational knowledge of the Internet and Web-related technologies

• Possess strong verbal and written communication skills

• Demonstrated ability in teaching ESE students

• Knowledge of math and/or reading strategies and intervention tools

• Work independently with little direct supervision

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate on group projects and work as part of a team

• Must be responsible, accountable, and self-motivated

• Demonstrated strong work ethic to achieve school goals

• Display effective prioritizing, organizing, and time-management skills; ability to meet aggressive deadlines

• Ability to learn and apply all required and recommended FLVS computer applications to create efficiency and consistency in internal workflows and instructional practices

CORE COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESS:

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Clearly and effectively conveys and/or presents information verbally; summarizes what was heard to mitigate miscommunication;  Shares ideas and perspectives and encourages others to do the same; Informs others involved in a project of new developments; Disseminates information to other employees, as appropriate; Effectively uses multiple channels to communicate important messages; Keeps supervisor well informed about progress and/or problems in a timely manner; Writes in a clear, concise, organized and convincing way for a variety of target audiences; The written message is consistently error-free; The written message has the desired effect on the target audience 

CUSTOMER FOCUS

Prioritizes customers (internal and external)  and their needs as primary and is dedicated to meeting their expectations; Develops and maintains customer relationships; builds credibility and trust; Quickly and effectively solves customer problems; Provides prompt, attentive service in a cheerful manner; adapts to changing information,  conditions or challenges with a positive attitude; Incorporates customer feedback into delivery of service to provide the best experience possible for the customer; Actively promotes our organization in the community by serving as an ambassador or volunteer

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

Relates well with others; Treats others with respect; Shares views in a tactful way; Demonstrates diplomacy by approaching others about sensitive issues in non-threatening ways; Considers and responds appropriately to the needs, feelings and capabilities of others; Fosters an environment conducive to open, transparent communication among all levels and positions; Takes the initiative to get to know internal and external customers

FUNCTIONAL /TECHNICAL EXPERTISE

Has the skills, abilities, knowledge and experience to be successful in functional area of expertise; Dedicates time and energy to keeping abreast of the latest information related to area of expertise and technology; Picks up on technology quickly; Does well in technical courses and seminars; Produces high quality work in organized and timely fashion

INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTOR COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESS:

PEER RELATIONSHIPS

Finds common ground and solves problems for the good of all; Can represent his/her own interests and yet be fair to other groups; Solves problems with peers with minimal “noise”; Is seen as a team player and is cooperative; Easily gains trust and support peers; Encourages collaboration; Is candid with peers   

CREATIVITY

Comes up with a lot of new and unique ideas; Easily makes connections among previously unrelated notions; Tends to be seen as original and value-added in brainstorming sessions; Takes calculated risks; Is not afraid to try new things and potentially “fail fast”

SELF KNOWLEDGE

Seeks feedback; Gains insight from mistakes; Is open to constructive criticism; isn’t defensive; Proactively seeks to understand his/her strengths and areas for growth; applies information to best serve organization; Recognizes how his/her behavior impacts others and incorporates insight into future interactions       

PLANNING

Accurately scopes out length and difficulty of tasks and projects; Sets objectives and goals; Breaks down work into the process steps; Develops schedules and task/people assignments; Anticipates and adjusts for problems and roadblocks; Measures performance against goals; Evaluates results

ORGANIZING

Uses his/her time effectively and efficiently; Concentrates his/her efforts on the more important priorities; Can attend to a broader range of activities as a result of organizing time efficiently; Can marshal resources (people, funding, material, support) to get things done; Can orchestrate multiple activities at once to accomplish a goal; Arranges information and files in a useful manner  

PROBLEM SOLVING

Uses rigorous logic and methods to solve difficult problems with effective solutions; Probes all fruitful sources for answers; Can see hidden problems; Is excellent at honest analysis; Looks beyond the obvious and doesn’t stop at the first answers

DRIVE FOR RESULTS

Can be counted on to exceed goals successfully; Very bottom-line oriented; Steadfastly pushes self and others for results; Is full of energy for the things he/she sees as challenging; Not fearful of acting with a minimum of planning; Consistently seizes opportunities; Consistently exceeds goals